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American Gladiators: The Movie is Coming - Not a Joke

by Alex Billington
May 12, 2009

Are you ready for this? Johnny Ferraro, creator of the "American Gladiators" TV game show, is bringing a live-action adaptation of the property to the big screen. The film will be specifically based on the TV show that first aired in 1988 and has been on the air ever since then. Former Legendary Pictures chief marketing officer Scott Mednick is producing this new American Gladiators. The goal is to create an action story that takes place inside the world Ferraro has created. "I look forward to creating a compelling story that launches a whole new set of characters," Mednick said. Believe it or not, this is really happening.

Ferraro claims that "American Gladiators" was originally conceived as a film, but the property "took a detour and became a TV phenomenon." Really? Can anyone tell me how this would work as a movie, at all? I'm sorry to say, for those of you who might still be big fans of "American Gladiator," but this is a stupid idea, just downright idiotic. Nothing good is going to come of this, and I might even call it a worse idea than the Stretch Armstrong movie that Universal is developing. Nothing against Mednick, but of course a former marketing exec would be the only one would could envision something like this. Is anyone excited?

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Reader Feedback - 36 Comments

It could work... I ain't lying

asdwe on May 12, 2009

Oh dear god no. Say it isn't so.

Smiffy1 on May 12, 2009

How does shit like this get made, wow.

Aaron on May 12, 2009

Are you expecting this to be an Oscar winner or something? Of course not. It's gonna be pure cheese and that's fine with me. I'll watch this shit...probably while intoxicated, but I'll watch the shit.

Jesus on May 12, 2009

Didn't they already make this movie. Yeah, the called it "The Running Man".

Brandon on May 12, 2009

If Purple Roundy isn't making it in with his curly mullet, I dont want any part of this

L on May 12, 2009

I'm sorry... What?

Blake on May 12, 2009

NO thats all i have to say

geneguru on May 12, 2009

Lolol, this is going to be awesome. In bad sort of way. Looking forward to laughing at this XD

Daniel on May 12, 2009

I see what they're thinking. I imagine they would probably have an underdog contender rise up through the challenges in a rocky or rudy sort of way. They would probably have some story from the gladiators' points of view. Stuff like that. Good popcorn flick probably, but I think people will just laugh at the idea of it and probably not give it a chance.

jwilliek on May 12, 2009

im excited.... for the epic lulz.

michael on May 12, 2009

That's funny, my little brother used to watch the '80s reruns not too long ago and, while sitting there, I said "American Gladiators' seems like a show they would have spun off into an action movie in the '80s. Terrorists would probably take over the studio durring a taping of the show and the Gladiators would have to bring them to there knees and save the studio audience". It sounds exactly like something hysterically hideous that could only be birthed in the 1980s. Frankly, I hope this ends up being the plot.

Matt S on May 12, 2009

Why am I not surprised at all

Cody on May 12, 2009

why?

bozoconnors on May 12, 2009

This makes total sense since the new series on NBC was such a hit.... Worst idea ever.

Widescreen Wonderland on May 12, 2009

pretty moronic if you ask me

thejugfather on May 12, 2009

Uh, Anyone ever seen "Over the Top"...that's how its going to work...enough said.

Tim on May 12, 2009

Just a matter of getting the creative juices flowing! The 1st thing that popped into my mind was Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The Running Man". I also thought about Steve Austin's "The Condemned". It takes talent and flair to bring something like this to life and make it big! One thing's for damn sure......I'd rather watch an "American Gladiators" movie than to watch a STUPID Disaster Movie/Meet the Spartans/Scary Movie/Date Movie/Dance Flick. NOW THOSE WERE UTTER, SHAMELESS CRAP!

Blue Silver on May 12, 2009

I wonder which poor actors they would get for this? They would be desperate.

M on May 12, 2009

And then... Deal Or No Deal: The Movie Someone has murdered The Banker, and now its up to Howie Mandell and his army of briefcase wielding chicks to solve the mystery! 😛

Toucmyinfection on May 12, 2009

The dude in front looks like a Drag Queen... And I mean one of the really, really ugly ones. This movie is gonna be so terrible that it's awesome again. The entertainment value will be unfathomable!!! *thunder and lightning* I bet this would work fine with a bunch of friends, a huge pizza and some booze.

SuicidalOptimist on May 12, 2009

#20 that is funny stuff!

Tim "Cloverfield" on May 12, 2009

I think Bill Hicks will be coming back from the dead just to make a few jokes about this one. (btw, has there been any news on a Bill Hicks Bio-pic? I heard some news about a year ago, but nothing since.

crumb on May 12, 2009

If there is no steroids in this movie then its fiction to me................. Who am I kidding I would never watch this

SHANEDAV on May 12, 2009

Wasn't this movie called Dodge Ball?

inogenius on May 12, 2009

Yea, I'm excited about it. What's it to you? You wanna fight about it?

Viper on May 12, 2009

well i mean if they just throw in COBRA for the "bad guy" can we just call this GI JOE?

af on May 12, 2009

If Wesley "Two Scoops" Berry isn't the Main Character, then this will fail. If he is, I envision Box Office records.

Jon Jon on May 13, 2009

You folks are crazy. This is a sure fire mega bucks hit. God willing some aspect of the plot will revolve around Thiesman's leg breaking into a million pieces.

rama jama on May 13, 2009

American Gladiators is redneck trash. Anyone who does something stupid like skip work to go see it should be fired. Especially if they have a government job and my taxpayer money is going to them.

Carus on May 13, 2009

This better be a comedy. I cant take any sport seriously which involves foam mallets with lots of drama

mandarin on May 13, 2009

If this becomes a movie, then I'm guessing it's going to wind up as a cross between The Running Man and a Japanese game show.

Liam on May 13, 2009

As long as Milhouse's mom is in it, I'll be satisfied.

Elliot on May 13, 2009

hmm, i dont even know how an idea like this even comes to fruition. id watch it on bootleg... on a slow day... in a snow storm... with a ham sandwich

mrmr on May 13, 2009

They should bring back Two Scoops!!!

Robert F. on May 14, 2009

HA HA HA. Wow. Just wow. I can't wait to see Wolf take on Steel (Jonathan Byrne?). CRAZY vs. CRAZY.

Jort on Nov 23, 2009

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